Shoe-rack.



W. R. FORSYTH.

SHOE RACK.

APPucATloN FILED JULY 18. |912.

Patented Jan. 1l, 1916.

entre sanas arena 'WILLIAM R. FURSYTH, 0F SWAMPSGOTT, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR T0 UNTEE SHOE MACHINERY CUMPANY, OF PATERSON, NEW ERSEY, A CGRPOMTION' OF NEW JERSEY.

SHOE-RACK.

' Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented dan. itil, i916.

Application led July 18, 1912. Serial No. 710,170.

T o all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that l, `W1LL1AM R. FoRsYTH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Swampscott, in the county of Essex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain Improvements in Shoe-Racks, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, isa specification, like reference characters on the drawings indicating like parts in the several figures.

This invention relates to racks of the type commonly used in shoe factories for holding shoes during the intervals in which they arenot being operated upon: and during their transfer from one part of the factory to another.

It is the chief object of this invention to devise a rack of this character which shall have provision for varying the inclination of the shelves to suit the requirements of the work or the convenience of the workman, and which, while capable of being folded up to occupy only a small space when not use shali be as rigid and substantial when extended for use as is the ordinary type of raclr.

The invention will be clearly understood from the following description of one embodiment thereof, reference being'made to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a perspective View of a shoe rack constructed in accordance with the invention; Fig. 2 is an end'elevation of the rack shown in Fig. l in its open or eX- tended condition; and Fig. 3 is an end eleration showing the rack folded up.

The rack shown comprises two sills 2, each having mounted thereon two corner standards or supports 4 which are braced by suitable stay rods 6. These standards support a vertical series of pairs of shelves, the members of each pair being arranged side by side in substantially the same horizontal plane. While this arrangement provides what is commonly termed a double rack, as distinguished from a rack having a series of single shelves, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to this particular style of rack. Each shelf consists of two end loars 8 and several long rods or dowels ll connecting said bars. The dowel at the extreme outside edge of each shelf extends loosely through the end bars 8 into the corner standards 4 and is pinned rigidly to these standards, thus enabling the shelves to have a pivotal movement relatively to the standards. ln the same manner the dowel forming the extreme inner edge of the shelf extends loosely through the bars 8 and is pinned at its ends to two vertical center supports or bars l0. The intermediate dowels are pinned to the bars 8. Each pair of shelves in the series has its innermost dowels secured to the center supports 10 at points lying in substantially the same horizontal plane, so that each center support l0 is, in effect, connected .to the two adjacent corner standards 4f by two series of parallel links of equal lengths. Consequently, if the center bar is allowed to drop, the corner standards will he moved inwardly toward each other and the rack will be folded up in substantially the condition in which it is shown in Fig.v 3.

ln order to lock the rack in extended condition each of its ends is provided with a locking means consisting of two hooks l2 pivoted respectively to the corner standards 4, and a headed stud 14e secured in the center bar 10 in position to be engaged by both hooks. This arrangement holds the center bars securely against any movementrelatively to the 'corner standards and, consequently, gives the rack the desired rigidity. Additional studs 16 are secured one on each standard 4f above the hooks l2, in position to be engaged, when the rack is folded, by the hook on the opposite standard (as indicated in Fig. 8) to lock the rack in collapsed condition.

The position of the shelves most convenient for the handling of the shoes by the workman usually is that in which they lie in substantially a horizontal plane; but in moving the rack around the Ifactory the shoes are likely to slide od' the shelves unless they are tipped toward the center. This is particularly true if the shoes have very high heels and are placed upon the shelves with their heels extending inwardly. I, therefore, have devised means by which the inclination of the shelves can be varied to suit these conditions. This means preferably consists in providing each locking hook l2 with a plurality of notches any one of which may engage the stud l-l on the center bar 10 to lock this bar in adjusted position.

'as a check to prevent the shoes It will be evident from an inspection of Fig. 2 that, when the locking studs 14 are `enga ed by the outermost notches of the hooks 12, the center bars 10 will be held at such an elevation that the lshelves will be inclined only slightly toward the center of the rack; but when the studs are engaged by the lower notches the center bars 10 will be locked in a lower position, thus giving the shelves a considerable' inclination, as indicated by the dotted lines in said figure. Obviously, as many notches may be formed in the hooks 12 as are found desirable.

While the rack shown in the drawings is provided with shelves designed to support the shoe right side up, it will be evident that this invention is equally applicable to a rack having shelves of the pin type, in which the shoes are supported sole uppermost.

Each of the center supports 10 is grooved,

as indicated at 18, to receive the ends of .a narrow board 20 that extends longitudinally of the rack just .'above the shelves and serves froml sliding fromV one 'shelf to the other.

When the rack is in use it will be extended in the condition shown for instance in Figs. 1 and 2, the angle of inclination of.,J the shelves, however, being adjusted by the locking members 12;"bu't when it is desired to ship or store the rack, or when for any other reason it is not in use, it'may then-be collapsed and locked in this condition, as indicated in Fig. 3.

Having thus described my invention, what supports,

I claim as 4new and'desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is '1. A folding shoe rack comprising a series of pairs of shelves, the members of each pair being arranged side by side, cor- .ner standards pivotally supporting said the rack both in its collapsed and in any of its operative positions. y

2. A folding shoe rack comprising two pairs-of corner standards, a pair of center a. vertical series of pairs of shelves, the members of each pair being arranged side by'side and pivotally supported by said supports and standards, a hook pivoted to each of said standards having a plurality of notches therein, and studs on said supports and standards arranged to be engaged by the notches of said hooks to 'lock the rack either in collapsed condition or in dierent adjustments of extended condition. 4

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this speciication in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

y WILLIAMR. roRsYTH.

Witnesses:

JOHN H. MGCREADY, 'WILLIAM B. KING. 

